Why is it so hard for Jim Molan to apologise for sharing Britain First material?

By Latika Bourke

6 February 2018 — 10:54pm

London: Jim Molan says he is anti-violence. This is precisely why he should admit that reposting Britain First material on Facebook was wrong. As anyone who has spent time in the UK recently knows, it is a group linked to deadly violence.

Founded in 2011 by a Scottish anti-abortionist called Jim Dowson, Britain First's short history is already tied to several politically-motivated attacks.

Molan, who has realised his years-long quest to become a member of parliament, should feel a degree of solidarity for his fellow public servant, murdered by an extremist, infected with hateful ideology. It was after all the very same kind of poisonous thinking that Molan physically battled against in the Middle East.

Senator Jim Molan in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 5 February 2018. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

"When you drive hatred it has consequences, people lose family members. I am testament to that," Cox said, after Donald Trump retweeted posts from the organisation's deputy leader Jayda Fransen.

As Cox told Fairfax Media on Wednesday: "Those who excuse and encourage the hatred of Britain First and their ilk are doing the work of the terrorists for them. Elected politicians cannot claim ignorance and must not be allowed to walk away from the effects of their actions."

Then there's Marek Zakrocki, jailed for driving his car at a curry house owner in north London, who told police "I'm going to kill a Muslim. I'm doing it for Britain". Zakrocki was a donor to Britain First and had their flyers at his home in Harrow.

A screenshot from Senator Molan\'s Facebook page.

Photo: Facebook

In the case of Darren Osborne, who drove a van into Muslims worshipping at the Finsbury Park mosque in London last year killing a father of six, he became radicalised in part by reading Britain First material online. In the weeks leading up to the attack he received an automated direct message from Fransen.

There is a clear pattern between Britain First and violence. Anyone who says, as Molan does, that they are anti-violence misses this critical context and should therefore have no trouble in condemning this organisation and apologising for sharing their content.

He also regrets not cleaning up his social media or wiping from the public record his posts made as a private citizen (although vocal Liberal party member). We should be grateful for his failure. If we accept that these posts do not reflect his beliefs, they have certainly given us an insight into his character – quick to take offence and feel outraged but equally slow to apologise for making a mistake.

It is possible that, like Trump, Molan may not have known Britain First's true colours when he shared their posts. That would be an understandable explanation for someone not living in Britain but it is also one that would be accompanied by a swift and sincere apology. It remains difficult to see why this is proving so terribly hard for Molan.

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Molan's obstinance and ongoing refusal to simply say "sorry, I stuffed up" has the whiff of a military man unused to public scrutiny. But he has chosen political life and the example he is required to set differs from the unquestioning chain of command he might have enjoyed in Russell's bunkers.

Latika Bourke is a reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age based in London. She has previously worked for Fairfax Media, the ABC and 2UE in Canberra. Latika won the Walkley Award for Young Australian Journalist of the Year in 2010.